Happy MLK, Jr. Day everyone! Hopefully you all have the day off and are enjoying a 3-day weekend.

Today’s post is all about beautiful black decor and furniture, specifically matte black. There’s no arguing the its sleekness and it always makes a statement. Here are 6 pieces that are absolutely stunning.

For those of you with kiddos, you’ve probably already discovered one of my favorite sites, The Land of Nod. But even if you don’t have kids, you should definitely check them out. Their pieces are amazing… playful enough for kids, but chic enough for us grown-ups.

Clearly I have an obsession with gold. When done well, it is one of the most rich and classic looks around.

3. How to Accessorize Your Bedside Table – We all know that accessorizing is the key to a well-designed room. When it comes to a bedside table, it should be both beautiful and functional, and I’ve laid out all the must-haves.

4. That’s Toile Folks – In addition to amusing myself with this clever title :), I really enjoyed finding ways to incorporate this age-old pattern into modern spaces.

One of my earliest posts, in it I chronicle the elegance of this most timeless ‘color’ combo.

6. Hello Handsome – In a departure from my typically feminine design aesthetic, I decide to show some love to the guys. This design board contains all the elements needed to create a ‘Dapper Man Cave’.

Dreaming of living the life of luxury, or at least creating a space that feels like it? Tufted furniture is an absolute must! From headboards to foot-rests, I highlight some key pieces to incorporate into your space.

8. Trend Alert: Southwest Style – In another one of my earlier posts, I spot the Southwest design trend… and trust me it’s one that’s not going away anytime soon. This design board gives you the tools to transport the Southwest directly into your home.

9. 5 Chic DIY Dresser Makeovers – I love the idea of DIY projects… and wish I had the time to do more of them. From chevron to ombre, these dressers are great examples of DIY done right!

Truly one of my favorite additions to the site, ‘Here & Now’ is a series where I share anything and everything that inspires me, excites me, or is generally on my mind. I hope you’re enjoying it because I plan to keep it going.
Volumes: 2 | 3 | 4

Well, there you have it – my top 10 of year 1. I’m proud of what’s been done this year and looking at making year 2 even better.

Ahhh, July 4th… BBQ, fireworks, fun in the sun, and most importantly, a day off of work :). In honor of Independence Day, I thought I’d focus on an outdoor space and keep things festive with a red, white and blue color scheme. I’m not one to embrace the ‘Yankee Doodle’ literal interpretation, so here’s my take on the patriotic patio.

Whether designing an indoor or outdoor space, I love to mix different styles to create a space that feels unique and inviting. Here’s how I brought the space together:

First I brought in rustic and nautical elements. The rustic items play off of the existing horizontal wooden panels and preserve the natural feel of the outdoor space. The nautical pieces hint toward the waters that lie beyond the infinity pool.

Next I brought in modern and contemporary touches both of which add pops of color. The modern elements follow the architectural details of the home, while the contemporary elements tie everything together creating a cohesive and functional space.

My mother-in-law has asked for my help with a little project: her entryway table; but this project calls for a little bit of background…

A few years ago now, my husband’s parents completed building their dream home. Although they love their new home, the way it came about was not so pleasant. They live in San Diego County and, in 2007 their house burned down in the San Diego Wildfires. While it was a devastating event, they chose to rebuild on their same lot, and now reside in a beautiful modern home with wonderful tile floors, exotic wood finishes, and paint and countertops in warm red tones.

Clearly, building a home from scratch is quite an undertaking, so while most of the house is complete (and beautiful) there are still small projects…

Here is a picture of the current entry way console.

Currently a hand-me-down credenza occupies the space, and while it’s mid-century modern design matches well with the rest of the home, it has seen better days, and is under-sized for the space. In looking for a new console/credenza, we want to keep to a modern feel, but because it’s an entryway, it’s important that we make a good first impression. Here are the options I’ve picked:

This first option is very similar to the current credenza, but the size and scale is a better fit for the space. It has a mid-century modern feel which will make it blend in nicely with many of the existing furnishings, and offers great storage! (Grada Server; Steve Silver Company)

The next option continues with the mid-century modern them, but the white lacquer adds some modern pop. While it’s a simple piece, the color and finish make it anything but boring. (Dumont Buffett; West Elm)

This piece is what I would call a “safe bet” (which is not a bad thing). It has more of a traditional/contemporary feel, but because the house is already modern, it can help to add a bit of warmth. What I like most about this piece is the open, airy space between the floor and the drawers. It doesn’t take up a lot of visual space like the prior options, and allows for decorative accessorizing on the bottom shelf. (Cordova Console Table; Cooper Classics)

And this is what I would call the opposite of a safe bet… and I think it’s fabulous! Talk about making a first impression! What I love about this table is that is commands attention and adds a bit of glamour. Another bonus is that it comes in multiple colors, so you can balance the “loud” design with a more muted color. The champagne or java color ways are great options. (Malibu Console; Malibu Loft)

Last but not least we have what might be ‘just right’. The wood tones and clean lines of this piece are very much in keeping with the mid-century modern feel. While it takes up some visual space; it’s not as “heavy” as some of the earlier options and still provides storage. It’s a great piece that is both beautiful and functional. I’d suggest adding some interesting hardware to infuse a bit of glamour. (Calista Sideboard; Crate & Barrel)

Do you have a favorite? I’ll keep you posted on what we end up choosing. Even if it’s not one of the exact pieces above, I’m pretty confident we’ll be able to narrow down a style to help us make a great first impression in a beautiful home.

This past weekend was quite productive, most notably I finished re-designing our living room which has been a work in progress. We were having our first BBQ of the season, so it was good motivation to finish my first project.

BEFORE: Bland room with white walls and vertical blinds… yikes!

You may recall from my Modern Elegance post, I had a general style and color palette in mind (and I knew I wanted a sunburst mirror :)). My goal was to transform the room playing off of the original charm but adding vibrance, elegance and a little rustic, ethnic charm…

AFTER:

So… how did I do? I’m sure I’ll keep making minor changes over time, but I’m pretty happy with the outcome. Now… on to the next room!

Last week I came down with a little bit of a bug and decided to stay home from work one day. In addition to sparing my co-workers my germs, it was the perfect excuse to catch up on 14 (yes 14) episodes of Gossip Girl.

As I was watched, I fell more and more in love with Serena’s bedroom at Blair’s house (no worries if you have no idea who I’m talking about). Here’s what I mean…

Love, right?!?

So how can you re-create this sophisticated yet whimsical space? So glad you asked 🙂

This bed from Serena & Lily has a similar shape and pattern. I actually prefer the scalloped edges of this design since it adds a bit more interest.

I heart this bench. It’s a bit different from the upholstered bench in our inspiration, but this is just so fabulous, and you can find it at Ballard Designs.

Nothing says elegance like grasscloth wall covering. This particular one is a faux grasscloth, and a bargain from Lowes. In our inspiration bedroom, grasscloth is only on the accent wall behind the headboard. Personally, I’d love to see it on all the walls

The wow “piece” in our inspiration bedroom is definitely the abstract pattern created by the butterfly decor above the headboard. Here are two options (white butterflies & black flowers) both available on Amazon.

This floor lamp and wall sconce are simple yet elegant and look very similar to those in our inspiration room. These can be found at Circa Lighting and Restoration Hardware, respectively.

Last but not least, we have the seating. I’ve chosen a teal velvet fabric (shown in the swatch) that has a more modern appeal in comparison to the silk green in our inspiration. You can find this chair at Home Decorators Collection.

So, what do you think? Is there an inspiration bedroom that you’re looking to recreate? Until next time… xoxo

It’s the last day in our 7-day series covering the Venice Garden & Home Tour. We close out the series exploring what makes Venice, Venice… its culture.

Despite the $1M+ entry price-point for a home, Venice Beach remains a hub of counter-culture in the middle of Los Angeles. Art and sculpture are a key way its residents express their individuality and share their beliefs. One of the most fun and interesting parts of the tour, here’s the highlight gallery:

Statement Art

Functional Art (it’s a chair made of driftwood)

His & Her Art

Political Art

Repurposed Art

Tranquil Art

Antler Art

Creepy-Crawly Art

This brings our series on the Venice Garden & Home Tour to a close. Hope you’ve enjoyed the highlights.

Tomorrow, it’s back to great decor to help you add personality to your home.